The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There's no universally-fit-all coffee machine. We've rounded-up our top picks, from a superautomatic machine that grinds your beans and packs them to a semiautomatic which gives you the most control over your espresso.

The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automation and the need to know the ropes of espresso-making. It's our top pick for a coffee-to-cup machine.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento makes a great choice for those who want to make espresso at home without sacrificing quality. This prosumer espresso machine is designed with a limited counter space in mind. It combines outstanding build quality with a very small footprint. It is equipped with a 1.8 milliliter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 Group Heads so that you can steam your milk and brew coffee at same time.

The machine also looks great and has a round insert on the side panel with the steam engraved and hot water spouts. This is a fresh update on the classic design of Rocket that is already impressive for a machine that is so small. It also includes the black gauge of pressure in the boiler to show when the boiler is ready for use.

The water reservoir and drip tray are smaller on this machine than most other models. It is important to be careful when emptying and re-filling the machine. This is especially the case when you are using it often. This is a trade-off that results in smaller footprint. It's not a problem specific to this model.

This machine is able to handle the demands of your coffee. However, we would suggest investing in a good grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Gigante, for greater consistency and flavor. You can also use this machine in conjunction with a Rocket portafilter to improve the process of tamping.

As a professional espresso machine The Rocket Appartamento is capable of making some great drinks, and it's simple to make latte art. It's important to note that this machine was not designed for novices. There is a little learning curve for those upgrading from espresso machines that are appliance-grade. The heat exchanger can be difficult to work with and you'll need to learn how to do cooling flushes.

Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento provide the option of connecting to a water supply which means you'll always have clean, cold filtered water on hand for your drinks. The latter has a 2.25-liter water tank, which could be more difficult to refill than some of its competitors.

2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie

This machine is built to Lavazza's highest standards. It is quick to reach brewing temperature, allowing you to make your first cup of coffee in less than 35 minutes. The water tank can be filled easily with ease, since the lid can be removed to make a large hole. It can be filled with tap water if you like.

The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest model in the series, yet it is a powerful machine. When you buy it at full price, it costs under PS100 - which is less than the Nespresso Essenza and similar machines from SMEG and Desea. This makes the Jolie an excellent choice for those who don't have the money or space for an espresso maker, but would like to experience the pleasure of authentic Italian espresso.

The Jolie is easy to use and occupies very small counter space. It's as easy as pressing one button to start the machine, and then press it again to start dispensing your chosen brew. The button has a backlight so that you can see the amount you've consumed. You can also manually stop the process, in case you wish to drink the pod in smaller amounts.

There's no steam wand on this model, but you can make use of an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you want. The machine is quiet, too and can be used in a small area or in a kitchen with flatshare without disturbing others.

The pods aren't cheap, but they come in a variety of blends that can be used by all - from the lightest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are readily available in many supermarkets alongside regular coffee beans and ground coffee and you can also purchase Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods online.

The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule machine that has an integrated milk warmer. It comes with a 75cm power plug and power cable, a warranty document, a quick guide, and a test pack of nine Lavazza pods. Six are roasts (two Qualita Rossa and two Lungo Dolce) and two are decaffeinated. The machine is small enough to be placed under a cabinet or on the floor.

3. Breville BES870XL

The Breville Barista Express appears to be a costly espresso machine. If you're willing put in the work to learn how to use it this is a great espresso maker for your home that is more efficient than some of the more expensive models on the market. It's the best value in its class, and it's particularly suitable for beginners who don't have an espresso grinder yet, which could set them back another $100 or more.

This model is priced less than the most expensive Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199) however it is an excellent choice for baristas working on a tight budget. It has plenty of customizable features, and includes an integrated burr grinder to make the whole experience much less expensive. It's also a single boiler machine, which means it can only do brewing or steaming at one time.

Breville, a relative newcomer on the market for espresso machines, has quickly earned a reputation for its high-quality appliances. This machine is no different, and it offers just enough control that it can be adjusted to let aspiring baristas improve their skills without spending more than they have to.

There are some quirks, though. The hopper is situated on the side, not the top of the model. It's not a huge deal, but can be a hassle if you need to disperse multiple shots at once. The rear placement of the tank makes it difficult to determine the amount of liquid left.

If you're willing to put in time learning to use the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent option for anyone who loves espresso at home. The only drawback to the Breville Barista Express is the price which could be a deterrent for certain buyers. If you're looking for a low-cost alternative, we recommend the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines have similar capabilities and offer a bit more control than the Barista Express. However, they are a fraction of the cost.

4. OXO Brew 9 Cup

A high-tech, smart uk coffee makers machine that makes great coffee machine price with a simple user interface. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen add a stylish appearance to your kitchen. It comes with a single dial to program how many cups you want it to make and includes two cup settings as well as a 5-9 cup setting. The brewing method is similar to pour over, which most coffee enthusiasts believe is the best tasting coffee. The water is heated to the perfect temperature and poured over the grounds with a shower-head for uniform saturation. The brewed coffee is then collected in the double-walled thermal carafe, which can be stored for up to 60 minutes. The pause-and-pour feature allows you remove the carafe while making your coffee and filling it with the right amount. The machine stops brewing and displays a red carafe light on its LED interface until you return it, then resumes and finishes brewing.

The OXO 9-Cup coffee maker comes SCAA certified, which means that it meets the organization’s strict technical standards. The brew cycles are the same as the Bodum Bistro and Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it lets you control the temperature and brewing time.

In our tests, the OXO Brew 9-Cup brewed excellent drip coffee pot machine with a full-carafe of coffee in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a little more than the time that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but still within the range that experts in the field recommend to make a great cup.

It is also necessary to grind your own beans prior to brewing. You can choose an manual grinder or a more automated model like the Baratza Encore. It has multiple grind settings, and an hopper for beans that are whole.

The only issue with this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could pose a problem for some users. The stainless steel is still easy to clean by hand, though. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek design and user-friendly interface make it an undisputed contender among the best drip coffee makers.